Steering mounting for outboard motors



April 1951 E. CNKlEKHAEFER 2,549,486

STEERING MOUNTING FOR OUTBOARD MOTORS Filed May 13, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet l 2? /Z Z /3 35 A I z; f o 5 33 v lI 5 i 96 I -2 Z6 O O ZI IN V EN TOR.

April 1951 E. c. KIEKHAEFER 549,486

STEERING MOUNTING FOR OUTBOARD MOTORS Filed May 13; 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

April 17, 1951 E. c. KIEKHAEFER 2,549,486

' STEERING MOUNTING FOR OUTBOARD MOTORS Filed May 13, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 f Z IXM Patented Apr. 17,1951

estates OFFKCE STEERING MOUNTING FOR OUTBOARD MOTORS Elmer C. Kiekhaefer, Cedarburg, Wis.

Continuation of application Serial No. 772,344, September 5, 1947. This application May 13,.

1950, Serial No. 161,823

This invention relates to the tiller and steering of. outboard motors and is a continuation of the application of the present inventor, Serial Number.7'72,34 l, filed September 5, 1947, for Drive Shaft Hcusingfor Outboard Motor; and a continuation-in-part of the application of the present inventor, Serial Number 772,346, filed September 5, 1947, for Reversible Outboard Motor now U. S. Patent No. 2,549,481.

The invention is directed to co-pilot devices and provides improved, more readily adjusted and controlled friction means adapted to secure the motor against a normal tendency of the motor to beturned on its steering axis by the Vibration of the engine.

A principal object of the invention is to secure the motor frictionally without noticeably impeding the manual steering adjustment of the motor.

A more particular object is to provide for steering stability of the motor against turning by frictional resistance which is readily adjustable withinthe limits necessary to secure the motor against vibrational displacement and a minimumresistance to steering movement when effected by the operator.

A' further object is to provide a uniform frictional resistance which is not subject to change either in service or in the various positions of steering adjustment.

A further object is to eliminate frequent readjustments of the frictional device.

These and other objects and advantages will be more fully set forth in the following description of a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: I

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an outboard motor with parts broken away and sectioned to show the construction thereof;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail plan view of the swivel bracket supporting the outboard motor unit shown in Fig. 1; Y

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the bracket shown in Fig, 2 with a portion thereof broken away;

Fig. 4 is a detail plan view of the deflectable clamp plate and friction elements comprising a part of the co-pilot device of the motor shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a detail plan view of the spring plate of the co-pilot device referred to above;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line 55 of Fig. 2 generally longitudinally of the motor and showing the co-pilot device and bracket supporting means in assembled relation;

7 10 Claims. (01. 115-18) to the pin."

-. Fig. is a plan view of the swivel bracket shown in Fig. 2 and showing the steering mechanism with portions of the motor broken away,

and sectioned.

The outboard motor! shown in the drawings I supports engine 2 with the gasket 5 disposed therebetween and encloses the drive shaft 6. The upper end of drive shaft 6 is splined as at l for connection with the engine crankshaft 8 at one end and extends downwardly in housing 4 to the underwater gear unit 9. Underwater unit 9 is rigidly secured to the lower end of drive shaft housing 4 by the forward tie bolt Ill appearing in Figs. 6 and '7 and rear bolt I .shown in Fig. 1. The propeller 52 carried by'unit 9 is disposed and driven by engine 2 to propel the boat. Steering of the boatis provided for by turning the motor I including engine 2, housing 4 and underwater unit as will be described.

The bracket i3 is fitted with claim: screws l4 to be removably secured to the transom 5'5 of the boat and to supportmotor l. The intermediate swivel bracket it is connected. to and pivotally with each end secured in the upper and lower rubber bushings l9 and 20. Bushings l9 and 29 are seated and carried within corresponding lugs 2| and 22 formed integrally with housing 4 so that the housing is secured substantially rigidly with respect to pin l8.

The large circular bearing washer-plate 23 has a central hole fitted with the sleeve 24; Sleeve 24 is adapted to fit on pin 18' to secure plate '23 normal to the axis-of pin E8 or in a horizontal plane while allowing rotation of the plate relative The abutments 25 are formed as flanges integral with plate 23 to extend on each side of housing land are spaced therefrom to receive the springs 26. Each spring 26 is seated between housing 4 and the respective abutment 25 under substantial compression to secure plate 23 and housing l, rotationally'with respect to theaxis of pin it. Pin l8 and plate 23 are supported, as will be described," so that the weight of the power unit 2, housing 4 and parts turnable therewith are carried by the upper lug 2| and bushing i3 which latter rests upon the upper face of plate 23.

Plate 23 and housing 4| are substantially rigidly 'disposed with respect to each other on pin l8 and turnable as a unit.

Bracket I6 is provided with the stepped bore 21 which journally carries pin I8 and sleeve 24 in concentric relation. The two spaced friction discs or washers 28 of bracket |6 engage the underside of plate 23 near the periphery thereof to support the latter and the weight of housing 4 and parts supported by or secured thereto as described.

The tiller handle 29 provided for steering of motor I, as described, extends forwardly over brackets l3 and I6 into the boat for the operators immediate convenience. Handle 29 can, if desired, be secured directly to power unit 2, or drive shaft housing 6. As shown in the drawings, handle 29 is secured by bolts 39 to plate 23 which for the purposes of steering or securing the motor in a given steering position is substantially rigidly disposed with respect to housing 4. In the operation of motor springs 26 and bushings l3 and 26, however, serve to cushion housing 4 and protect plate 23 and pin I8 against the vibration of power unit 2. By securing handle 29 to plate 23 the handle is also relieved of the vibration referred to.

The co-pilot device to which the invention is directed includes the friction discs 28, referred to above and engaging the underside of plate 23, and the upper pressure discs 3| engaging oppositely the upper side of plate 23.

Discs 28 and 3| may be variously formed of any suitable material and variously secured. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings each disc comprises a circular member having a central projection 32 opposite the face frictionally engaging plate 23. Discs 23 are seatedon bracket IS with projections 32 in cor responding holes in the bracket whereby the discs are secured against lateral displacement.

Discs 3| are carried by the deflectable plate member 33 at one end thereof and pressed downwardly against washer plate 23 by the spring 34 bearing against plate 33 and controlled by th adjustment bolt 35.

The forward end of plate 33 is secured by the screws 36 to the underside of bracket I6 and extends horizontally and rearwardly through the opening 37 in bracket l6 over plate 23. The projections 32 of each disc member 3| flt into corresponding holes in the two corners of plate 33 to secure discs 3| in place.

' The threaded adjustment bolt 35 is carried by bracket I6 with the hexagonal head above the bracket and readily accessible for turning. The lower end of bolt 35 extending through the bracket engages spring 34 and depresses the same against plate 33 and thereby applies pressure on discs 3| against plate 23. The selective turning of bolt 35 to relax or further depress spring 34, provides for the adjustable frictional engagement of discs 3| and plate 23 and also of discs 28 with the underside of plate 23. Bolt 35, engaging the center of spring 34 and the latter engaging plate 33 midway between discs 3|, provides for the equalized application of pressure by the discs on plate 23.

Friction discs 3| are rigidly secured against lateral displacement by contact plate 33 because of the large horizontal extent of the plate and its 4 rigid connection to bracket |6 while the rela-- tively flexible movement allowed vertically or deflection of the free end of plate 33 carrying discs 3| allows a frictional engagement fully responsive to adjustment of the tension effected by turning bolt 35.

The large total area of engagement afforded by the spaced discs 28 and 3|, and plate 23 provides a frictional resistance to turning which is readily adjustable and is not subject to great change as in the event that the surfaces become oily or wet.

The axial frictional engagement of washerplate 23 on a substantial radius from the axis of turning affords a maximum mechanical advantage for resistance to the turning of the motor at any speed or condition of vibration. Accordingly, the minimum frictional engagement necessary at low motor speeds to resist the greate amplitude of vibration can be more closely approached by adjustment of the device, as described above, so that no more than a minimum of resistance to steering with handle 29 is encountered.

The frictional resistance to turning movement is thus applied and directed axially of the motor and is not affected by the load on the supporting bracket l6 particularly respecting the driving thrust of the propeller at the lower end of the motor.

More particularly the frictional resistance to steering movement is independent of the radial loading of the bearing surfaces of pin l8 and step bore 21 supporting the motor for steering movements, the radial loading referred to being variable, depending on the power output of engine 2 and thrust of propeller l2.

Discs 28 and 3| should be dimensioned and spaced so that the more usual and frequent steering adjustment re-locates the entire frictional contact area of plate 23 with each disc. Thus, with each such adjustment, any foreign matter which might enter between the discs and plate 23 is freed, and not retained and carried indefinitely therebetween.

By employing a plurality of relatively small, widely spaced frictional areas for the co-pilot,

oil and grease are also thus prevented from disturbing the frictional forces developed. A single contact of the same total area would be more apt to result in interference with the frictional forces by oil or foreign matter.

The additional features of the invention which provide a uniform, equalized frictional engagement of a plurality of elements with a relatively turnable disc allows adjustments which need not be in excess of the required minimum in order to compensate for variable conditions in service.

By disposing .plate 33 parallel to plate 23 and with upper discs 3! in contact with plate 23, the

deflection of the free end of plate 33 by bolt 35 and spring 34 required to effect the desired frictional engagement of the discs is directed so as to press the discs squarely against the upper face of plate 23.

The increased or decreased application of pressure is effected by deflecting spring 34 while the actual deflection of plate 33 in any degree of adjustment is nominal. Accordingly, upper discs 3| fully engage plate 23 uniformly and under all conditions of adjustment.

Various embodiments of the invention may be employed within the scope of the following claims:

power unit, a boat engaging bracket assembly,"

pivotal means connecting the drive shaft housing to-the bracket assembly, said drive shaft housing being swingableabout the axis of said pivotal means for steering purposes, afriction plate disposed to turn with said drive shaft housing and extending substantially normal to the axis of said pivotal means, contact members carried by said bracket assembly-and disposed in opposing relation to each other, one of said members being movable with'respect to said bracket in a direction parallel to the axis of said pivotal means and disposed normally in, face-to-face relation and frictional contact with one face of said plate, the other of said contact members having frictional contact with the opposite face of said plate, deflectable means connected to said bracket and carrying said first contactmemher for frictional pressure engagement with said plate, and'adjustable resilient means disposed to apply pressure to said deflectable means and movable with respect thereto to vary the amount of frictional resistance between the contact members and the plate.

2. An outboard motor comprising a power unit, a drive shaft housing disposed beneath said power unit, a boat engaging bracket assembly,

bly and disposed in opposing relation to each other with said friction plate therebetween, at least one of said members being carried by said defiectable plate at the "end thereof opposite said fixed end, said deflectable plate being disposed parallel to said friction platewhereby the frictional engagement of said contact members carried by said deflectable plate may be varied while said members are rigidly secured by said bracket assembly tional resistance to movement provided by said members,

3. An outboard motor comprising a power unit adapted to oscillate upon a vertical axis, a drive shaft housingdisposed beneath said power unit and supporting the same, a boat engaging bracket assembly including pivotal means connecting and supporting said drive shaft housing for turning movement about/a vertical steering axis substantially parallel to, the axis of said oscillatory vibration, a friction, plate turnable on said steering axis with said drive shaft housing and disposed in a horizontal plane, cushion means connecting said drive shaft housing and said friction plate allowing limited relative movement therebetween on said steering axis Within the rangeof movement resulting from said oscillatory vibration, contact members carried by the bracket assembly in spaced opposing relation to each other, one of said contact members having frictional contact with one face of said plate and the othe contact member having frictional with respect, to the f1ic- 6 Y and the plate whereby'said frictional resistance may be adjusted to an amount just sufficientto prevent movement of the friction plate from said vibration and thereby present a minimum of resistance to steering.

4. An outboard motor comprising a power unit, a drive shaft housing disposed beneath said power unit and supporting the same, a boat engaging bracket assembly including pivotal means condrive shaft housing and said friction plate allowing limited relative movement therebetween re-' sulting from oscillatory vibration of the drive shaft housing and power unit on said steering axis, contact members carried by said bracket assembly and disposed in opposing relation to each other, one of said members being fixed to said bracket assembly and disposed for frictional engagement with the one side of said plate, a deflectable plate on said bracket disposed substantially parallel to said friction plate and rigidly laterally supporting said other member in face to face relation and frictional engagement with the other side of said plate whereby any given amplitude of vibration of the drive shaft housing and power unit is cooperatively resisted by said members to secure the same against rotational displacement upon the steering axis by such vibration, and resilient means for varying the amount of frictional resistance between the contact members and the plate without changing either the uniformity of the pressure contact throughout the area of frictional engagement or such area within the range of adjustment therefor.

5. An outboard motor comprising a power unit, a drive shaft housing disposed beneath'said power unit and supporting the same, a boat engaging bracket assembly including pivotal means connecting and supporting said drive shaft housing for turning movement about a vertical steering izontal plane, cushion means connecting said drive shaft housing and said friction plate allowing limited relative movement therebetween on said steeringaxis, contact members carried by the bracket assembly in spaced opposing relation to each other, one of said contact members having frictional contact with one face of said plate and the other contact member having frictional contact with the opposite face of said plate, resilient means for varying the amount of frictional resistance between the contact members and the plate, and a tiller handle carried by said friction plate for effecting the steering adjustment of the motor on said steering axis.

6. An outboard motor comprising a power unit, a supporting drive shaft housing member extending'downwardly therefrom, a supporting bracket assembly'member associated with the power unit and housing for rotatively supporting the housing relative to the bracket member on a, vertical steering axis, brake elements carried by said sup- .porting member and housing, respectively, and

in frictional engagement with each other, said brake elements including a friction plate turnable with said drive shaft housing and a frictional contact bearing member secured to said bracket assembly member to engage the underside of said friction plate and support axiallythe weight 7 of the housing and power unit, a contact member having frictional engagement with the upper side of said friction plate, said supporting bracket assembly member including a defiectable plate rigidly secured at one end to said bracket assembly member and carrying at the opposite end said contact member, and spring means normally engaging said defiectable plate to urge said contact member into engagement with said friction plate whereby rotative steering movement of the housing and power unit relative to the supporting member is resisted.

7. An outboard motor comprising a power unit, a drive shaft housing disposed beneath said power unit, a boat engaging bracket assembly, pivotal means connecting the drive shaft housing to the bracket assembly, said drive shaft housing being swingable about the axis of said pivotal means for steering adjustment, a friction plate turnable with said drive shaft housing and extending substantially normal to the axis of said pivotal means, spaced pairs of contact members carried by said bracket assembly and disposed in opposing relation to each other, one of each pair of said members being secured to said bracket assembly in frictional engagement with the one side of said plate, the corresponding other of said pairs being secured to said bracket rigidly with respect to a plane normal to said steering axis and normally in face-to-face relation and frictional engagement with the other side of said plate, and means for varying the amount of frictional resistance between the contact members and the plate, said contact members being spaced with respect to the axis of said pivotal means whereby in normal steering the areas of frictional engagement change in location sufficiently to release foreign matter therebetween with each such steering adjustment.

8. An outboard motor adapted to be secured to the transom of a boat and comprising a power head, a drive shaft housing disposed beneath the power head for supporting the same and extending downwardly therefrom to house a vertical drive shaft; an underwater propeller unit carried by the lower end of said drive shaft housing and having a propeller driven from said drive shaft,

a swivel bracket disposed forwardly of said drive shaft housing and having a vertical sleeve disposed in a recess in the front of the drive shaft housing providing for the pivotal support of the housing on a vertical steering axis, said drive shaft housing together with said power head and underwater unit constituting a motor unit and being subject to oscillatory vibration upon said vertical axis, a pair of spaced clamps disposed on opposite sides of said swivel bracket and adapted to fit over the upper edge of a boat transom and to be removably clamped thereto, a horizontal pin extending transversely of the boat between said clamps and through the forward end of said swivel bracket to provide for tilting of the swivel bracket and motor unit upon the transverse axis of said pin for lifting of the propeller unit out of the water, a friction plate turnable with said drive shaft housing upon said steering axis and cushioned with respect to said oscillatory vibration, a friction element engaging the underside of said plate and carried by said swivel bracket rigidly against movement in the plane of said plate, a friction element engaging the upper side of said plate and carried by said swivel bracket rigidly against movement in the plane of said plate and disposed above said first named friction element with said plate therebetween, and

adjustable resilient means biasing one of said friction elements toward the other to determine the frictional drag of both elements upon said friction plate, said lateral rigidity of said fric tion elements cooperating with said cushional mounting of said friction plate to prevent rota tional creep of said motor unit.

9. An outboard motor adapted to be secured to the transom of a boat and comprising a power head, a drive shaft housing disposed beneath the power head for supporting the same and extending downwardly therefrom to house a vertical drive shaft, an underwater propeller unit carried by the lower end of said drive shaft housing, and having a propeller driven from said drive shaft, a swivel bracket disposed forwardly of said drive shaft housing and having a vertical sleeve disposed in a recess in the front of the drive shaft housing providing for the pivotal support of the housing on a vertical steering axis, said drive shaft housing together with said power head and underwater unit constituting a motor unit and being subject to oscillatory vibration upon said vertical axis, a pair of spaced clamps disposed on opposite sides of said swivel bracket and adapted to fit over the upper edge of a boat transom and to be removably clamped thereto, a horizontal pin extending transversely of the boat between said clamps and through the forward end of said, swivel bracket to provide for tilting of the swivel bracket and motor unit upon the transverse axis of said pin for lifting of the propeller unit out of the water, at least one friction element with an upwardly facing friction surface seated in the upper surface of a part of said swivel bracket, at least one corresponding friction element disposed above said first named friction element and having a friction surface facing downwardly in opposition thereto, a defiectable arm carried by said swivel bracket and carrying said upper friction element with said arm extending through an opening in said swivel bracket generally forward of said motor unit, said arm being secured rigidly to said swivel bracket against lateral movement to secure said upper friction element laterally relative to said lower friction element while providing limited vertical movement for the upper friction element toward the lower friction element, a friction plate connected to said motor unit and disposed between said corresponding upper and lower friction elements in a plane normal to the steering axis of the motor unit and turnable on said axis, spring means disposed forwardly of the motor unit beneath a part of said swivel bracket to bias said arm in a direction to effect the pressure engagement of. said friction elements with said friction plate, and selectively adjustable means carried by said swivel bracket independently of said arm and engaging said spring means to vary the biasing force of said spring means upon said arm and thereby the frictional engagement of said elements with said friction plate.

10. In an outboard motor having a swivel bracket with a motor unit carried thereby for steering movement upon a vertical axis, a copilot assembly comprising a friction plate turnable with said motor unit and disposedin a plane normal to said steering axis, a vertically defiectable plate having its free end overlapping said friction plate andits opposite end secured and fixed to said swivel bracket, a pair of friction elements rigidly carried by one of said plates and disposed in frictional engagement with the face of said other plate, said friction elements being spaced laterally of said deflectable plate, and adjustable spring means carried by said bracket and biasing said deflectable plate centrally with respect to said friction elements in a direction to provide equalized pressure between said elements and the plate frictionally engaged thereby.

ELMER C. KIEKHAEFER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number Number 10 E UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Towne Jan. 12, 1897 Hult July 13, 1915 Kende Nov. 4, 1930 Peck Jan. 26, 1932 Irgens Oct. 31, 1933 Goldstine Mar. 2, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Aug. 24, 1931 

